R.I.P. Gary Shapiro

Singer. Songwriter. Comedian. Rabbi. Cantor. Gary Shapiro touched many lives in and around Los Angeles in ways a typical comedian never did. Shapiro died unexpectedly on Thursday. More details on that as they become available.

Shapiro was born July 1, 1964. He was only 52.

Memorial services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Monday, May 1, at Mount Sinai, 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, in Los Angeles.

Shapiro (@ElSmoocho on Twitter) had just performed at the beginning of the week at the monthly Top Tune showcase for singer/songwriters.

“It’s the toughest job I’ve ever had, but it’s the greatest as well,” he said then. “Paul does a brilliant job at playing ringmaster and keeping everything going, and I sit about six feet away — and whenever Paul wants to cut away or there’s a lull in the conversation, he’ll say, ‘Gary are you online right now? What’s happening on the Internet? What’s going on? And I have to have something great to say. Every time he calls on me, in front of everyone I idolize.”

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